In 2018 a local couple were exploring and searching for a way to create a perpetual tribute to their daughter who had perished at 48 years of age after a prolonged and valiant battle with colon cancer and simultaneously support their local community. The Eastland Area Community Foundation (EACF) provided a way for them to perpetually manage their funding support with an endowment –The tsmJ Colorectal Cancer Detection Endowment– established under the auspices of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. An EACF Ambassador also suggested the Carroll County Public Health Department (CCPHD) as a service agency alternative. They could potentially manage and deliver services to the citizens of Carroll County Illinois with the funds generated. This led to the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding between the couple and the Carroll County Public Health Department. The Memorandum details how the funds generated either through the Endowment or by direct contribution are to be deployed for the residents of Carroll County through activities focused on the detection of colorectal cancer.
From inception of the CCPHD colorectal screening initiative to the end of calendar year 2025, approximately $25,000 has been gifted to the CCPHD for activity deployment for the citizens of Carroll County Illinois. Two of the initiative awareness media developed for the endeavor are shown (Fig one and two). More detail regarding associated CCPHD activities can be found at their website (CCPHD.com) and more factual detail regarding the origin and mission of the initiative at the tsmJCS.com website.
Eastland Area Community Foundation 